Posted on: December 27, 2007
Down is the New Up
An increasing number of brides are turning to extensions to add length and fullness to a wedding-day hairdo
By Nola Sarkisian-Miller
CTW Features
The wedding gown isn’t the only item getting altered when it comes to a bride’s ensemble. Hair options abound and more and more brides are heaping on extensions for longer, fuller manes to crown their milestone moment.
While updos are still a romantic bride’s favorite way to frame her face, the temptation of flowing, shampoo commercial-worthy hair is an option that’s also hard to resist for a hair-challenged bride. Extensions can even elongate the hair to fill out an updo for girls with say, shoulder-length hair.
“About 50 percent of our brides in the last year wore hair extensions,” says Lori Dunn, a bridal beauty expert and owner of ModelBride.com, Chatham, N.J. “Brides are more sophisticated today and aren’t limited when it comes to making their dreams happen.”
What’s also fueling their interest is the less invasive method of attaching the hair, says Perriann Rodriguez, founder of HairResources.com. In the past, more permanent methods, lasting two to six months, such as weaving and heat fusing were costly and could severely damage hair. Synthetic hair was also the norm, creating a less than seamless look for the wearer.
Now, the temporary alternative of clip-ins gives brides a short-term look that won’t harm her hair. Dunn says the hair is woven into flexible strips that are fitted with metal "clip combs" that allow each piece to attach easily and stay put, even on thin hair. And, most salons are offering 100 percent human hair, which can withstand the rigors of heavy styling, such as straightening, blow-drying and dyeing and not disintegrate.
“They can be worn again and again for future occasions,” Dunn says.
That amortized outlook may help justify the expense of extensions. At ModelBride.com, clip-in styles retail from $135 for a small, 12-inch piece to $600 for an eight-piece, 18-inch set. Not a bad price, however, compared to the $500 to $5,000 cost associated with permanent extensions.
For brides in doubt, let the dress dictate the look of their hair. Black-tie events or Edwardian-style dresses with high-collars call for elegance in the form of a chignon. A more casual affair with a halter-style gown would take to a hair style worn down with soft ringlets for a “sexy, hot” look, Dunn says.
